Who is a physical therapist?
Physical therapists are health care specialists who diagnose and treat illnesses or conditions limiting patients' ability to move and perform daily functional activities. They provide treatments to people of all ages, focusing on improving mobility and pain relief, reducing the need for surgery and prescription drugs, and offering a recovery plan tailored to the specific needs of the individual. Physical therapists also create wellness and fitness plans for healthier, more active lifestyles that can prevent mobility loss.
Physical therapists work in various settings, including private practices, hospitals, outpatient clinics, home health agencies, sports and fitness facilities, schools, workplaces, and nursing homes. To practice as a physical therapist, you must obtain state licensure.
Physical therapists play critical roles in healthcare delivery, serving as leaders in rehabilitation, prevention, health maintenance, and programs promoting health, wellness, and fitness. Physical therapists also play critical roles in developing physical therapy practice standards and health care policies to ensure the availability, accessibility, and optimal delivery of health care services.
Education and training of physical therapist in the United States
In the United States, aspiring physical therapists must undergo a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program. The CAPTE or Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education is responsible for the approval of DPT courses. Further, passing a state licensing exam is imperative to obtain their license. These DPT programs usually last three years and cover many subjects, such as biology, anatomy, physiology, and more.
Some DPT programs require a prior bachelor's degree. Meanwhile, others offer a 3 + 3 format, where students spend three years in undergraduate physical therapy courses before entering a three-year professional DPT program. Alternatively, specific programs admit high school graduates directly, provided they complete undergraduate prerequisites.
Most DPT programs prioritize classroom instruction and lab work, constituting about 80% of the curriculum, with the remaining 20% dedicated to clinical education. During their final clinical experience, physical therapy students typically spend 27 weeks in a clinical setting.
Licensed physical therapists can enhance their expertise through clinical residency or fellowship programs. Residencies provide an opportunity to gain experience in specific practice areas, while clinical fellowships are structured programs for physical therapists who demonstrate clinical proficiency in focused areas of practice.
Physical therapists can also approach the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties to attain a clinical specialist board certification without the obligation to fulfill any specific practice area prerequisites.
Do physical therapists classify as doctors?
Physical therapists earn a degree of doctor of physical therapy (DPT) but are not medical doctors (MD) or doctors of osteopathy (DO). This means they cannot diagnose medical conditions, prescribe medications, or perform surgeries. Usually, a physical therapist will work with patients to improve their movement after another healthcare provider has diagnosed or referred them.
What is the role of a physical therapist?
Typically, doctors and other healthcare providers refer patients to physical therapists. Typically, they commence by conducting a physical examination to understand the issue.
As part of your treatment plan, they may use one or a combination of the following:
- Exercising
- Stretching
- Special equipment
- Other hands-on techniques
The goal is to improve movement and increase the range of motion in specific body areas to restore functionality. Engaging in ongoing physical therapy can decrease your future reliance on prescription medications, surgical procedures, or additional physical therapy sessions.
Physical therapists execute the following daily tasks:
- They diagnose your condition and assess your ability to function effectively.
- They record your expressed concerns.
- They develop personalized treatment plans by analyzing your condition, objectives, and anticipated results.
- They utilize therapeutic instruments like electrical stimulation devices or kinesthetic tape.
- They monitor your progress.
- They instruct you to use assistive tools, such as crutches or canes properly.
- They formulate and implement discharge plans when deemed necessary.
Some of the focus areas in which physical therapists can specialize include:
- Sports
- Cardiovascular (heart) and pulmonology (lungs)
- Oncology (Cancer)
- Geriatrics (elderly health)
- Neurology (brain health)
- Orthopedics (bone, joint, and spinal issues)
- Pediatrics (children's health)
- Clinical electrophysiology
When should you see a physical therapist near you?
If you sustain an injury or have a medical condition restricting your physical functionality, your doctor might recommend a consultation with a physical therapist. You might also receive a referral to a physical therapist if you are in the process of recovering from surgery or have specific medical conditions, including:
- Anterior cruciate ligament ( ACL) reconstruction
- Herniated discs
- Sports injuries
- Other orthopedic issues
Your condition and goals determine the time required for physical therapy. Some people need only a few weeks of physical therapy to address a short-term problem or recover from a minor injury. Others may see a physical therapist for months or years to manage the symptoms of a chronic (long-term) condition. A physical therapist typically collaborates with your referring physician to establish a consensus on a treatment plan. Before resuming specific activities, obtaining the physical therapist's approval may be necessary.
What types of conditions do physical therapists address?
Physical therapists treat conditions affecting regular body movements or injuries restricting everyday activities. They can treat common conditions such as:
- Back pain: Physical therapists can address acute and chronic back pain, ranging from mild discomfort to severe, unbearable pain. Back pain affects approximately 80% to 90% of individuals in the US at some point, leading to frequent work absences.
- Carpal tunnel syndrome: This condition causes numbness, pain, and weakness in the hand and wrist.
- Trigger finger: Trigger finger makes moving the fingers or thumb challenging, effectively reducing flexibility. It's named after the finger's position, resembling an attempt to pull an invisible trigger, and it affects the tendons in the fingers and thumbs.
- Lymphedema: When the lymphatic system is compromised, it can result in lymphedema, characterized by swelling in various body parts. The lymphatic system gathers extra fluid, proteins, and toxins generated by cells and tissues and then transports them back into the bloodstream.
- Rotator cuff tears: The shoulder, a ball-and-socket joint in the skeletal system, is prone to rotator cuff tears when tendons pull away from the arm bone. These tears can occur due to overuse or other injuries.
Things to expect at your first visit to a physical therapist
Your first visit to a physical therapist near you will be similar to any other healthcare provider's first visit. They will inquire about your mobility and any other symptoms you might currently have. You should also not hesitate to ask any questions you have. Consider writing down the following information to keep it handy:
- What makes your pain better or worse?
- What activities did you have to modify or stop associated with this problem?
- Your medical history
How to find the best physical therapist near you?
Depending on the type of physical therapy you require and where you live, you will have specific requirements when looking for a healthcare provider. You can visit your physical therapist in a specialized clinic or hospital or have them treat you at home. It has also become common to consult a physical therapist via video or phone. Zocdoc assures you that it will meet all your requirements.
And if you are looking for top-rated physical therapists in your area, say, Delray Beach, Florida, Zocdoc can save you a lot of time and effort. On our convenient and user-friendly website, you can connect with the best in-network practitioners who will accept your insurance plan.
The list of physical therapists in and around your area may be extensive, but you can narrow it down to your preferences using search filters. You can refine your search by specifying visit purposes, your preferred travel range, your desired consultation date and time, the gender of the provider, their language proficiency, their hospital affiliations, and whether they cater to pediatric patients, among other factors.
Once you shortlist a couple of physical therapists, you can visit their profiles to learn more about them. The profile section would include pertinent information about their education and training, board certifications, clinical interests, earned licensures, etc. You can also review verified reviews and ratings of previous patients to make a better choice. Once you have chosen a provider or doctor, you can immediately schedule an in-person consultation or an online appointment facilitated via a video call.
Booking with Zocdoc is easy, secure, and 100% free!
Physical therapist statistics in Florida
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of 2020, there were about 238,800 physical therapists in the US and about 14,830 in Florida. Projections Central states that this number will rise to approximately 279,200 in the US and 18,460 in Florida.
Since physical therapists help people improve their body movements, they also help individuals with Parkinson's disease, cerebral palsy, etc. According to data from the Florida Department of Health, nearly 50,000 Americans are diagnosed with Parkinson's each year, with more than half a million Americans affected at any time. According to data published by CerebralPalsy.org, out of every 1,000 children in the US, about two to three children have cerebral palsy.
Sources
BLS
Projections Central
Florida Department of Health
Cleveland Clinic
WebMD
ExploreHealthCareers.org
CerebralPalsy.org
Cleveland Clinic [1]
Cleveland Clinic [2]
Cleveland Clinic [3]
Cleveland Clinic [4]
Cleveland Clinic [5]
